Central Lakes Trail/Public beaches

The Central Lakes Trail is a paved biking and walking trail that spans Douglas County from Osakis through Evansville and on to Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County.

The 55-mile-long trail, located on the old Burlington Northern rail line grade, connects the cities of Osakis, Nelson, Alexandria, Garfield, Brandon, Evansville and Melby in Douglas County.

Great for walking, running, bicycling, in-line skating, roller skiing, wheelchairs and more. The trail is open to non-motorized visitors, with the exception of snowmobiles in the winter.

The trail head and parking area in Alexandria are located at the north end of Broadway in Big Ole Central Park. Other trail heads are available in the cities of Osakis, Garfield, Brandon and Evansville. These trail heads include a parking area, portable restrooms and a trailside shelter. A bike shelter is also available along the trail about one and one-half miles east of Nelson.

The trail travels through or near woodlands, grasslands, lakes, wetlands and farm country. Those traveling along the trail may see a variety of wildflowers, wildlife and many different trees and plants.

The Central Lakes Trail also connects to the Lake Wobegon trail, which runs from Osakis through Sauk Centre to St. Joseph. Together, they make the longest paved bike trail in the state. The Central Lakes Trail (www.centrallakestrail.com) is used as a snowmobile trail in the winter.

LIFEGUARD-STAFFED LAKE L’HOMME DIEU BEACH Alexandria. Take Highway 29 north of Alexandria to the beach.

LAKE LATOKA BEACH Alexandria. Take County Road 82 west from Alexandria, turn south on County Road 90, then west on Latoka Beach Road.

LAKE OSAKIS BEACH Osakis. Located on East Lake Street.

NON-LIFEGUARD-STAFFED CITY PARK BEACH Alexandria. Lake Henry in the Alexandria City Park, one block west of County Road 42 (North Nokomis). ROTARY BEACH Alexandria. Located off County Road 42 between lakes L’Homme Dieu and Carlos. CHIPPEWA COUNTY PARK BEACH Brandon. Between lakes Little Chippewa and Devil’s off County Road 108

LAKE CARLOS STATE PARK Carlos. Located about seven miles north of Alexandria off State Highway 29 and County Road 38. BROPHY PARK Take Co. Rd. 82 west of Alexandria to the Brophy Landing road (county road 114), go north about a ¼ mile — beach and park entrance are on your right.